Police detain two over the death of OAU’s student

Following the passing of Ahize Okoli, a 500 Level student in the Civil Engineering Department at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, two people who are reportedly members of the Awo Hall Executives have been detained by the police.

According to reports, a mob killed Okoli after believing that he had stolen a cell phone.

According to sources on campus, the student was accused of stealing a cell phone in Awo Hall on Monday. He was moved to the Students Union Building early on Tuesday where he remained until about noon after being severely beaten.

Further information revealed that Okoli’s health had gotten worse as a result of the beating he had received. He was rushed to the OAU Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, where he was pronounced dead on Tuesday afternoon.

The two people held were identified as student leaders by the Osun State Police Command, which provided an update on the situation on Wednesday.

Yemisi Opalola, the command’s spokesperson, told reporters that justice will be served as the investigation into the incident continued. Two student leaders have been detained in relation to the event.

Abiodun Olarewaju, the university’s public relations officer, added that the management of the institution would also conduct its own inquiry while arguing that the police should be permitted to look into the situation.

Olanrewaju said, “The university will not meddle in such a grievous offence. It bothers on the criminality of murder.

“So, let the police do their job and we will do our own here. We are going ahead with our investigation.”

In the meantime, on Wednesday, students from the College of Technology blocked access to the campus in protest of Okoli’s passing.

In addition to calling for the arrest of everyone engaged in the student’s assault, the demonstrators demanded the imprisonment of student security volunteers who they claimed took possession of the victim following the attack in Awo Hall of Residence.

When the Dean of the Division of Students Affairs, Prof. Olalekan Aransi, had listened to their demands, the protesting students—who also made sure that no lecture took place on campus as a mark of respect for the deceased student—removed the blockade and permitted movement into the university.

Speaking to the students, Aransi begged them to maintain calm while promising them that the administration would take care of their issues.